Feedback: Readers respond to Detroit getting help from Washington

Sep. 27, 2013

On Thursday, the Free Press reported that federal officials who are set to meet with state and Detroit leaders today could assist the city with nearly $300 million in private and public dollars. Some is new money, some is money that has already been allocated to Detroit. Readers responded on Freep.com:

I am not in favor of any kind of taxpayer bailout of Detroit. This isn’t that. This is about funds available in the form of grants, etc., that have never been requested or looked into.

Here’s the critical piece in all of this. If Detroit gets the money, its spending needs to be monitored to the nth degree.

How many stories have we all seen of money handling and mismanagement issues? That same mismanagement has caused Detroit not to be able to get funds it could have in the past.

That being said, I’d love to see burned-out/dilapidated houses torn down. At least make some progress. Streetlights turned on, basic city services improved. This can do that, if used properly.

Dave Germainee

It’s important that the right people are in that room for this meeting. It’s one thing to talk about establishing efficient processes, which are desperately needed, but it’s an entirely different thing to talk about who should get the money. This discussion should also include nongovernmental key stakeholders, and not only the traditional folks, but also social service agencies (environmental, foreclosure, health, etc.) academic institutions, business owners, and a few others who have a vested interest in the survival of Detroit.

Kimberly Hill Knott

“I think they are sending in the cavalry,” said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, a Democrat from Detroit.

This is not the cavalry coming to the rescue, Mr. Levin, but rather three soldiers that are helping the “stranded settlers” by preparing their requisition forms for more bullets and guns while not getting involved in the fight. It has been stated by the press that Mr. Levin was a powerful figure in his party, and yet when Detroit needed him, the most he could accomplish was getting some cabinet members to eliminate the red tape to provide access to grants that Detroit already knew about.

I hate it when politicians announce their “triumphs” as if they accomplished something major when all they really did was provide some direction. Has Washington become so populated by bureaucrats that they think eliminating red tape is somehow now the equivalent to sending in an army to assist those in need?

Joseph F. Overaitis

The federal government needs to stop being an enabler. Get through the bankruptcy process, and promise the money will be there once the city gets its finances and operations in order. Not a dime until then! Otherwise, this city is never going to get straightened out

Daryl Tomsa

We still need a plan on what we hope to accomplish. There must be transparency and accountability, no matter where money comes from.

Al Porter

I don’t like this one bit, but I’d rather see money spent here than in Syria or Afghanistan.